Nasal septum splint



May 23, 1950 V H R ND 2,509,157

NASALSEPTUME SPLINT Filed Jan 19, 1948 INVENTOR. 34 a Robert R Lind v y v v ATTORNEYS Patented May 23, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE NASAL SEPTUM SPLINT Robert R. Lind, Detroit, Mich.

Application J anuary-19, 1948, Serial No. 2,981

6 Claims. (Cl. 12887) This invention relates to a nasal septum splint and has particularly to do with a nasal passage insert which furnishes support to the nasal cartilage and bridge after a fracture or plastic surgery operation. 7

It is an object of the invention to provide a nose splint which is relatively light and comfortable for the wearer and one which is readily attached to the patient with a minimum of binding tape or fastening means.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a nasal splint which is readily adjustable by the physician and which is adapted to use of varying size nasal inserts and readily adjustable to compensate for varying features and conditions.

Another object of the invention is the use of a splint which may be readily sterilized and re-used.

Other objects of the invention having to do with the details of construction and operation will be evident in the following description and claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 illustrates the head of a patient with the splint in position.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the splint in assembled position.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the splint showing the parts lying fiat.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 illustrate varying shapes of nasal inserts.

The nasal septum splint consists of a lip bar 28 which is curved so that it may be compressed against the upper lip without discomfort to the wearer. This lip bar may be provided with holes 22 adjacent the ends thereof to permit tieing of a support cord or bandage. The bar is provided with a central forward extension 24 which is apertured transversely.

The nasal passage inserts shown in Figure 2 each have a straight portion 30 provided with relative large apertures 32 for the purpose of ventilation and lightness. A lipped projection M is provided at the end of the portion 30 to furnish support for the bridge of the nose when in position. The supporting end of the nasal insert is the offset portion 35 connected by angled portion 33 to the insert proper. The offset portions 35 are usually parallel to the insert portions 39. The supporting means for the insert consists of a yoke formed of one threaded member if having a head 4| and a threaded extension 42 which is received by a threaded recess in shoulder 44 on another threaded member 4%. Nuts 41 are mounted for axial adjustment on the threaded portions 40 and 46 which project through holes in the offset portions 36 Thumb nuts 48 hold.

on the nasal inserts 30. the offset portions 36 against the adjustable nuts 41. A set screw 49 may be used to lock extension 42 in place.

In Figure 4 different type of nose splint is shown in which the nasal insert portion 50 is simply a straight piece to be used where the nasal passages are relatively small or where a special supporting bandage is to be wound on the insert.

In Figures 5 and 6 another type of imperforate insert is shown in which, as distinguished from the type in Figure 2, no extension 34 is provided but the upper end of the insert is angled and provided with a lip 52.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the device shown in Figure 5.

In the use of the nasal splint the nasal inserts are inserted by the plastic surgeon in the proper position and with suitable packing as dictated by the particular case. The spacing of the mounting portions may then be checked and the backin members 41 can be suitably adjustd on the threaded yoke members 40 and 46. The parts are then assembled and the thumb nuts 48 used to clamp the portions 36 against the backing members 41. The lip bar 20 is then taped to the face by a portion of tape 50 or a cord may be passed through the holes 22 and bound around the head. In some instances both cord and tape can be used in the initial treatment and subsequently the cord may be eliminated.

The parts of the nose splint may be made of aluminum, plastic, or other light material to render them as comfortable as possible for the wearer. The splint is readily assembled and dismounted and easily cleaned. It is likewise adaptable to many variations in size requirements, angles and so forth that will appear as each patient is fitted.

I claim:

1. A nasal septum splint which comprises a curved bar to conform to the external surface of the upper lip, a central extension projecting outwardly from said bar below the nose, septum inserts received by the nasal passage, and means fastening said inserts to the extension on said bar to hold the inserts solidly in position.

2. A nasal septum splint as described in claim 1 in which the fastening means consists of threaded members passing through an aperture in said bar extension, backing means adjustable fastening said inserts to the extension on saidi bar to hold the inserts solidlyin" position comprising a threaded yoke passing through said lip bar extension, collars movable on said yoke to adjusted positions spaced from the center of. said yoke and means on said yoke at each end to clamp said septum inserts against saidcollars 4. A nasal septum splint omprising'a fiatmenh her to be received by the nasal passage having a tapered edge from one side to the other; the tapered edge being lipped over to furnish support to the. nasal; bridge; a; portion of said. nasal insert'being offset at'theprotruding end to serve as a mounting; piece; v a: curved; lip-vbar; tobe supp'ortedionthe upper: lip of? a patient; and meansinsert to said. lip-bar;

connecting the mounting portion: of: said nasal 25: N be 5. A nasal septum splint which comprises a support to rest on the upper lip in the form of a bar curved to fit the facial contour below the nose, septum inserts to be received in the nasal passage, and means fastening said inserts to said support in adjustable relation thereto, comprising an elongate member on said lip bar transfixing said inserts and means adjustable to lock said inserts on said elongate member.

6L1 A nasal septum splint comprising a lip piece tolie'lroni'zontally'on theupper lip of apatient, nasal inserts to be received by the nasal passages having one end perforated, extensions on either side'of said lip piece projecting through the perforations of the nasal inserts, and adjustable clamping means to lock said inserts on said". extensions;

ROBERT R. LIND.

REFERENGES CITED The-'- following references" are of'record in the me of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date 2,202',748= Soho r May 28, 1940 

